Assessing our energy options

Hour 2

How should we get our energy? In this hour of Radio Times, we assess the viability – scientifically, environmentally, technically and politically – of the major choices for powering our planet. Last month, as the 1 year anniversary of the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history (the Deepwater Horizon explosion/spill) approached, soaring oil prices had political pressure rising on the White House to open up more Gulf drilling and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Meanwhile, in Japan, nuclear power’s horrifying downside was dominating the news, including the climate-inspired reconsideration of nuclear power as a bridge solution. And questions surround the other popular “solution,” Marcellus Shale-derived natural gas, about whether it is contaminating surface and groundwater wherever it’s been fracked up. Joining Marty to assess our energy options, take stock of the various pluses and minuses of each alternative to meet our energy needs, and determine what’s really the best way forward, are two energy experts. DR. JOHN BYRNE of the University of Delaware is Distinguished Professor of Energy and Climate Policy and Director of the Center for Energy & Environmental Policy. And DARREN SAMUELSOHN is POLITICO’s senior energy and environment reporter, after covering the intersection of politics and energy policy for a decade for for E&E Publishing’s Greenwire and Environment & Energy Daily.

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[audio: 040711_110630.mp3]